THE Department of Agriculture said it will take in applications to import 25,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen small pelagic fish for wet markets in the fourth quarter.
In Memorandum Order No. 17, the DA outlined the procedures for obtaining sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for fish imports arriving no later than Jan. 15, 2025.
The DA said that at least 80%, or 20,000 MT, of the import allocation will go to commercial fishing companies, while the remaining 20%, or 5,000 MT, will be awarded to fisheries associations or cooperatives.
“The SPS Import Clearance under Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) 25,000 MT shall be issued on Sept. 1, 2024 until Nov. 30, 2024 and the fish to be imported must arrive no later than Jan. 15 of the succeeding year,” the DA said.
It said an initial volume of 112 MT will be awarded to commercial fishing companies, equivalent to four containers.
“The remaining volume shall be distributed proportionately based on their percentage share from the total volume of fish landings for the past three years immediately preceding an import period,” the DA said.
For fisheries associations, the 20% quota will be allocated based on the percentage of arrivals they delivered before the import period.
“An initial volume of 56 MT which is equivalent to two containers will be distributed to all qualified associations/ cooperatives in this period,” it added.
The DA also instructed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to report and consolidate all imports.
“The importer is to source supply from respectable sources not derived from (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing,” it said.
In addition, BFAR should also encourage importers to avoid releases to the market that compete with the domestic catch.
“Importers shall submit their complete and updated documentary requirements within seven working days from the issuance of the CNI,” the DA added. — Adrian H. Halili
